Reunion photo recollections from Srianee (Bunter) Dias

Reunion photo recollections from Srianee (Bunter) Dias

Two collages. You have to guess who they are! Thanks, Srianee.

Negombo 2017

2017 reunion photos of evening function- well worth revisiting. Here is the link:

https://colombomedgrads1962.blogspot.com/2017/03/batch-reunion-2017-part-6-banquet-and_16.html#comment-form

REUNION RECOLLECTIONS - Kumar Gunawardane

REUNION RECOLLECTIONS

Kumar Gunawardane

The first reunion I attended was in 1992, the twenty-fifth anniversary of our release from the hallowed but restricted haunts of Kynsey Road. My onetime Bloem roommate K (Kumar aka Con) Bala, who was also one of the organisers, invited me to talk on Cardiology Down Under. It was scheduled for the afternoon of the symposium, the pretext for what was really a fete for buddies and comrades. 

The preceding speakers, without exception, had exceeded their time limits, and Mahen asked me to drop my piece de resistance; perhaps a blessing in disguise, as it may have averted the spectacle of both the speaker and the audience falling asleep simultaneously. I rushed off to bed to catch up on sleep in preparation for the bacchanalian fiesta which was to follow. On the way, I was treated to the spectacle of a colleague’s unsuccessful attempts to open his room door. An analogue of the opening scene of Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece “Limelight”; the inebriated Calvero (CC) fumbling with his front door lock. 

The summer of 1997 was good; a real summer disputing the calumny that the English winter ends in July and begins in August. The sun shone, the sky was blue with wispy white clouds, and migrant birds twittered in Regent’s Park. The afternoons were long and the evenings cool. Kanthi, her mother and I had arrived for a sojourn in London well before the Reunion to be followed by a tour of Scandinavia. The ladies enjoyed shopping in Oxford Street to the full while I went sightseeing. We had a good look around Windsor too, as we stayed a couple of days there with a good friend. 

The festivities started with a dinner dance. An unusual feature was the separate party for the youths of whom there were many, the offspring of our colleagues. A standout figure was the rotund Razaque whose daughter’s special birthday coincided with our celebrations. He wore a Scottish Highland dress complete with kilt, sporran, hose and flashes, provoking many bawdy comments. The girls looked glamorous in gorgeous sarees, and men were smart and elegantly attired; all seemed untouched by the passage of years. I recall a witty and humorous speech by Ranjith Dambawinna which evoked not only uproarious laughter but also embarrassed giggles. He was particularly savage on some of his close mates in the nicest possible way. The night merged with the trembling dawn before we crawled to our beds drained but joyous. 

The next day we trooped to the seminar as duty had to prevail. The lectures were scholarly, but mostly floated over our befuddled heads. 

There was boundless joy in catching up with old friends, particularly those who had been at school with me like Bora. Both of us had come together to England too and started working in the same hospital. Somehow the anecdotes sounded much better in the retelling; another advantage was that disagreeable memories were either forgotten or very deep in the psyche. There were, of course, newfound friends no less precious. 

The dinner dance on the second night was glittering. Our table had Bora and Harshi, Swyrie and Ken Balendra and the three of us. The conversation was brilliant, the food delicious, the wine free-flowing, and the music melodious. Those who could dance swayed gracefully to the music, but everyone took to the floor when the ‘baila’ session began. 

There were poignant moments too.It was the last time I met our divine confrere Sue R. As always, she was gracious and ethereal. When we hugged goodbye, she remarked wistfully that the Colombo years were a blank, due to the trauma of moving away from Peradeniya. 

It was also the first and last time I met Chandrasiri, since the ‘great dispersal’ of 1962. He had been sponsored by some colleagues for achieving the distinction of becoming the acting Vice-Chancellor of Ruhuna University. Bora and I have previously detailed our close association with him in our final year. This time, however, the emotion was dispassionate. 

My Galle internship mates Chitra and Dharmini were captivating in stylish saris. We hadn’t met since our “leus annees de gloire” in the hamlet of Mahamodera. Chitra had become an acclaimed obstetrician and gynaecologist in NewYork. Her talents were perceived early by our chief, Dr Wilfred Perera; she also benefited from my spraining a wrist, which kept me out of the operating theatre. 

The chief guest was Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda, who lectured to us about forensic medicine and went on to become Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and eventually Vice-Chancellor of the Colombo University. He hailed from Hikkaduwa, the town which produced our own Lucky Abey. 

The professor in our time was the genial, elegant and eloquent H.V.J. Fernando who succeeded the foundation professor G.S.W. De Saram, a giant in his field.

The latter’s most famous case was the Sathasivam murder trial where his evidence was challenged by Sir Sidney Smith who had mentored him in Edinburgh. Kanthi and I were lucky to make the acquaintance of his wife during a long rail journey to Ella. She invited us along with my brother and his wife to high tea at her holiday cottage there. The charm and sophistication of bygone generations arouse a winsome nostalgia. 

All good things must come to an end, and we made our tearful farewells, promising to keep in touch and meet again sooner rather than later. I too resolved to engage as much as possible in future reunions. 

More of those later.

Note from Speedy.

Planned Batch Reunion 60th, in Colombo, 2027.  Pram gave us preliminary notice of a Grand 60th Anniversary Reunion (which I dubbed the "super-sixty-soiree") planned for the 23rd of January 2027 in Colombo. Details will follow.

The first two photos were sent to me by Srianee (Bunter) and the third by Kumar.

And some of the souvenir pages from my post on our Blog, "Batch Reunion in 1992 held at Windsor Holiday Inn in England". Link to the post is, https://colombomedgrads1962.blogspot.com/2014/04/batch-reunion-in-1992-held-at-windsor.html#comment-form

The scientific programme here is provisional and differs from the final one posted above this

THE ANNUAL LONDON BATCH REUNION: 2026. Organised by Pram

THE ANNUAL LONDON BATCH REUNION: 2026. Organised by Pram

Recollections by Mahendra and Nihal

This took place at the usual venue, The Royal Society of Medicine in Wimpole Street, London, on Monday the 6th of July 2026.

We had a spacious private dining room to ourselves and enjoyed the meal we had chosen from the Menu Pram had previously circulated. (Click on the menu photo if you like a clearer text).

As many of you know, Pram visits London during the Wimbledon Tennis tournament and makes it a point to arrange a meeting of Batchmates and spouses at the RSM. Of course we enjoyed the meal and drinks, but what mattered most was the opportunity to meet and reminisce. It is hard to believe that we "passed out" (while remaining conscious- apart from 65 dear departed colleagues), 60 years ago. Pram gave us preliminary notice of a Grand 60th Anniversary Reunion (which I dubbed the "super-sixty-soiree") planned for the 23rd of January 2027 in Colombo. Details will follow.

It was great to circulate, chat, and finally sit down to enjoy the meal. We had 16 attendees and apologies from a few "usuals" who were sadly unable to attend.

MAHENDRA GONSALKORALE

SUNIL and SIRIMA ABEYSURIYA

NIHAL AMERASEKERA

JIMMY WICKREMASINGHE

PRAMILLA SENANAYAKE

SUSHEILA KANAGASABAI

DHUSHYANTHI  VEDAVANAM

SAKUNTALA BALAKUMAR

NARADA WIJEYATILEKA (senior batch)

LORETTA BALACHANDRAN

ATTALE – SUSIL AND RUPA

HARSHI AND HARSHA BORALESSA

SHRIYANI GEETHA BATUWITAGE

Special mention must be made of the loyal Batch spouses: Sirima, Dhushy, Sakuntala, Loretta, Harshi, Rupa, and Shriyani. They are regular attendees, and it is always a pleasure to meet them and catch up.

Bora, Narada, Dhushy, Sakuntala, Loretta

Loretta, Sirima, Harshi, Sunil, Speedy, Shriyani

Sakuntala, Loretta, Shriyani, Sirima, Pram

Pram, Jimmy, Mahendra (Speedy), Sunil, Nihal (ND)

ND, Jimmy, Narada, Rupa, Speedy, Susheila, Susil, Pram, Sriyani, Dhushy, Sakuntala, Loretta, Bora, Harshi, Sirima, Sunil

I am pleased to add Nihal's account of the event.

Thanks, Mahen, for the photos and the script. I wrote a short account of my recollections of the event. 

In the 1960s, the Faculty of Medicine was the premier institution for the training of medical professionals since its inception in 1870. It started as the Colombo Medical College and is the second-oldest medical school in South Asia. It was an immense honour and privilege to be students in an institution with that long history and heritage. There has always been a certain loyalty, bond and allegiance to this institution hence our regular reunions both in Colombo and in London. 

Naturally, we consider our batch of 1962 so very special. Since so many of us now live in countries other than Sri Lanka, the link to our previous life is through these reunions. Here, we meet people with whom we have had similar experiences, a shared pride in the Faculty. There is a tinge of sadness that the institution doesn’t exist as we knew it and many of our friends who shared our experience are no more. We proudly remember the spectacle of the Law Medical match the Block Night and the eccentricities the final year trip.

When I arrived at 12 midday, a group had already gathered in the plush bar area of the Royal Society of Medicine. It was the welcoming smiles of our organiser Pram that greeted me first. There were hugs, handshakes, smiles, questions and exclamations, "I haven't seen you since"...! Where....? How....? Do you remember...?" After the initial photos we moved to our special room for the lunch. It was a sumptuous lunch of our choice which we all enjoyed with the usual banter recalling our memories of those years learning our trade.

After the lunch there were more photos. The goodbyes took as long as the lunch itself. This was indeed a most enjoyable get-together and our thanks to Pram for planning and organising it so well.

Old Boys and Old Girls Alumni Associations based in the UK

Old Boys and Old Girls Alumni Associations based in the UK. 

Mahendra "Speedy" Gonsalkorale

I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to find that there are over 60 alumni associations based in the UK. The wish to remain connected with your Alma Mater is obviously very strong.

Many of you must belong to these Associations and probably take an active role. Please feel free to point out any errors. The Alumni Associations must have a very varied history.

I wonder whether colleagues in other countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, will be able to provide any data.

Major Boys Alumni Associations 

• St. Thomas' College: (OTAUK)
• St. Patrick's College (Jaffna): St Patrick's College, Jaffna, Alumni Association UK
• Jaffna Central College: Jaffna Central College Old Boys & Girls Association UK
• St. John's College & Chundikuli Girls' College: CSJPPA-UK
• Ananda College Old Boys’ Association UK
• D. S. Senanayake College OBA UK
• De Mazenod College Past Pupils Association UK
• Dharmaraja College OBA UK
• Dharmasoka College Alumni Organisation UK (Old Sokians UK)
• Holy Cross College Kalutara OBA UK
• Isipathana College OBA UK
• Kingswood College Kandy OBA UK
• Mahanama College OBA UK
• Mahinda College OBA UK
• Maliyadeva College OBA UK
• Maris Stella College OBA UK
• Methodist Central College Batticaloa OBA UK
• Nalanda College OBA UK (Nalandians Hub UK)
• Prince of Wales' College Moratuwa OBA UK
• Rahula College Matara OBA UK
• Richmond College Galle OBA UK
• Royal College Colombo (Old Royalists Association UK)
• Shivananda Vidyalayam Batticaloa OBA UK
• St. Aloysius' College Galle OBA UK
• St. Anthony's College Kandy OBA UK
• St. Benedict's College OBA UK
• St. Joseph's College Colombo OBA UK
• St. Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa OBA UK
• St. Mary's College Negombo OBA UK
• St. Michael's College Batticaloa OBA UK
• St. Patrick's College Jaffna Alumni Association UK
• St. Peter's College Colombo OBA UK
• St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa OBA UK
• St. Thomas' College Matale OBA UK
• Thurstan College OBA UK
• Trinity College Kandy OBA UK
• Vivekananda College Colombo OBA UK
• Zahira College Colombo OBA UK

Major Girl's Alumni Associations

Colombo Region Schools

• Anula Vidyalaya Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Devi Balika Vidyalaya Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Good Shepherd Convent (Kotahena) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Holy Family Convent (Bambalapitiya) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Ladies' College (Colombo) Old Girls' Association UK Branch
• Methodist College Colombo Past Pupils' Charitable Association UK
• Musaeus College Past Pupils’ Association - UK Branch
• Our Lady of Victories Convent (Moratuwa) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya Alumnae UK
• St. Bridget's Convent (Colombo) Past Pupils’ Association UK
• Visakha Vidyalaya Past Pupils’ Association in the UK (VVPAUK) 

Kandy & Central Region Schools

• Girl's High School Kandy. Old Girls' Association UK
• Hillwood College (Kandy) Past Pupils' Association UK
• Mahamaya Girls' College (Kandy) OGA UK 

Southern & North-Western Region Schools

• Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya (Kurunegala) PPA UK
• Sacred Heart Convent (Galle) Past Pupils' Association UK
• Southlands College (Galle) Past Pupils' Association UK [1]

Northern & Eastern Region (Joint & Independent Chapters)

• Chundikuli Girls' College (Jaffna) – Associated under the joint Chundikuli-St. John's PPA UK
• Jaffna Hindu Ladies' College Alumni Association UK
• Vembadi Girls' High School (Jaffna) OGA UK

Why does politics have to pollute sporting events? Srianee Dias

Why does politics have to pollute sporting events?

Srianee Dias

Mirra Andreeva won the women’s singles title at the French Open yesterday (6.6.2026).  She is Russian but was competing as a ‘neutral’ athlete.  She reached the finals after defeating Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine in the semifinals.  After losing the match, Kostyuk ignored Andreeva and walked over to shake the umpire’s hand.  She chose to play against Andreeva, but like several other Ukrainian players, chose not to shake the hand of her Russian opponent.  It is difficult these days to entirely eliminate politics from sports, but it is my opinion that when players choose to compete in an event, they should act graciously towards their opponents in a sportsmanlike fashion.  The athletes are not responsible for the political conflict. 

In the finals, Mirra Andreeva defeated Maja Chwelinska of Poland 6-3, 6-2 to claim the title. She was congratulated warmly by Chwelinska.  Andreeva is only 19 years old, and this is her first Grand Slam title, although she won two major championships in 2025.  She is the youngest winner of the French Open since Monica Seles won in 1992, when she was 18.  Andreeva has personality, charm and a sense of humour.  She is a refreshing change from grumpy Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently ranked No 1. 

Sabalenka is from Belarus.  She and Andreeva have. been banned from competing in international events under their national flags.  This decision against the Russian and Belarusian athletes was made by the International Tennis Federation in 2022 when it suspended the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarusian Tennis Association from all 4 major tournaments, as well as team competition (Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup), following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.  To her credit, Sabalenka has not renounced her nationality, unlike some other athletes. I applaud her for that decision, because it probably cost her some lucrative endorsements.  I think it is unfair for hardworking athletes to be penalised for the decisions made by politicians in their respective countries. 

In the past, we’ve seen many similar situations.  South African athletes were prevented from competing in international events for many years because of the South African government’s apartheid policies.  I am told that the Pakistani and Indian cricket players do not shake hands with each other, even though they play against each other. 

The FIFA World Cup is just beginning with matches being held Canada, USA and Mexico.  Iran’s national team, Team Melli, has qualified to play, but the team is being hampered by visa problems being experienced by their players and officials.  I read that Tehran has now arranged for the Iranian team to be based in Tijuana, Mexico rather than in Arizona, USA. 

Sporting events can play a role in bridging the existing hostilities between nations. The athletes are heroes in their home countries.  Any positive experience they have during the competitions will carry over to their fans at home.  

Many athletes have also used their voices and influence outside their sporting careers.  Billy Jean King and Megan Rapinoe have fought for equal pay for female athletes. Wilma Rudolph, Muhammad Ali and Kareem Abdul Jabbar were very active in the Civil Rights Movement.  Lewis Hamilton has been championing diveristy in F1 racing.  They have that privilege and freedom, but it is my opinion that these activities should be separated from the actual sports competitions.  The sporting events should be confined to the sport, and politics should be set aside during the competitions.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026

Thank you for all your contributions. 

UPDATED LIST OF OUR DEAR DEPARTED COLLEAGUES

Please check and post a comment if any amendments are required, especially if you can fill the blanks.

REMEMBRANCE DAY - MAY 30th 2026

REMEMBRANCE DAY - MAY 30th 2026- FINAL

Added on 1st June 2026

This appeared as a comment from ND, and I think it is a fitting way to conclude Remembrance Day 2026 posts on our Blog.

"We are coming to the end of our month for remembrance. Our grateful thanks to all who joined in to remember. We always remember our friends throughout the year and pay our tribute to those who have departed this world. The blog is our place to meet and greet. The reunions in Colombo and London keep us together.
Our faculty years are a distant memory now, but one we can never forget. I hope we will stay in touch with the many portals and forums available".

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It was really good to see the number of contributions by colleagues, and my thanks to all of you who commented, and not forgetting the silent majority who accessed our Blog but did not post a comment. I hope you like this video, which I have produced by editing the one I did for 2025 (music and images). It has been updated and modified suitably.- Mahendra "Speedy" Gonsalkorale.

Please continue to send comments as a mark of appreciation for our dear departed colleagues.  I am posting this final one before the 30th, as I won't be able to do it on the day because I shall be away and unable to access my computer.

I am adding the video we did for the 2019 RM with lyrics by Rohini Anandarajah. This was one of  the best in the series.